Improvement in gate-latches



R. c, BERNARD.

Gate-Latch.

Raiented Marg'zh 9,187.5..

WITNESSES: wwf/Mfm ATTORNEYS.

THE GRAPHIC C0.PHOTO.-LITR.39 8:41 PARK PLAGEJLY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RORERT c. BERNARD, OF ROCKY MOUNT, VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN GATE-LATCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 160,639, dated March 9, 1875; application filed February 13, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT C. BERNARD, of Rocky Mount, in the county of Franklin and State of Virginia, have invented a new and Improved Gate-Latch; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which the figure is a side elevation.

My invention relates to certain improvements in gate-fastenings; and it consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of two levers, in combination with a vertical unlatching-bar, and a catch having a triangular or wedge-shaped head, fitted to catch both above and below. It also consists in the combination of the above devices, when weighted, as hereinafter described, with an uulatchingknob.

In the drawing, A represents an ordinary farm-gate, which is generally fastened by a latch falling in the catch, and lifted by a bar, E. This is a very common fastening, and would answer the purpose if the gate were never' disturbed by hogs or cattle; but if a gate so fastened be lifted up by hogs rooting under it, the latch is thrown out of the catch and the gate opened, and when hogs have once gotten into a field in this way, it becomes exceedingly troublesome to keep them out.

To remedy the defect I make my fastening of two levers, O D, and a bar, E, in combination with the catch F and guide-plate L. The levers G and D I pivot to the gate, (J being pivoted at its extreme end, G, forming a lever of the third class, in which the power is applied between the fulcrum and the weight, and D being pivoted about one-third its length from its extreme end from the catch, as shown at H, thus forming a lover of the first class, in which the fulcrum occupies an intermediate position. 0, from where it is pivoted, increases in size and weight, so as to insure its fall over the catch F by its own weight. For

the same reason lever D, not being pivoted at its extreme end, but at H, and intended to fit under the catch and not over it, is lightest where it fits under the catch, and increases in weight to its extreme end. This arrangement causes both levers to clasp, as it were, the catch. These two levers are connected to a perpendicular bar, E, at I and K. The catch F has a triangular or wedge-shaped head, fitted to hold both above and below, and as the gate is closed, the head of the catch passes between the levers 0 and D, which pass over it, and, by their weight, close upon it, holding the gate secure. L is a guide-plate for the ends of the levers to move in, and also for holding them up against the gate.

If a person desiring to pass through the gate be onhorseback, he raises the bar E, taking hold of the top of it or if on foot, then he turns the knob M, which, turn ed in either direction, opens the levers and releases them from the catch.

This arrangement completely counteracts the trouble now so often experienced in keeping gates closed, for just in proportion as the gate is raised or thrown up, and with it the lever O, which would be freed from the catch, to same extent is lever D pressed up under the catch.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. The combination of lever D, pivoted to the gate at H, with bar E, lever G, pivoted to the gate at G, and double catch F, substan tially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of lever D, weighted at the end K, lever 0, weighted at the latching end, a connectingbar, E, the double catch F, and the unlatching-knob M, substantially as and for the purpose described.

ROBERT C. BERNARD.

Witnesses:

G. H. T. GUER, JAs. J. GARPER. 

